Thread by @dianabutlerbass

The New Testament reading from today's lectionary preaches itself -- and it offers wisdom for all to live these difficult days. James 3:13-4:2. #SundayMorning

The passage begins with a question:

"Who is wise and understanding among you?"

The author of the letter says that wisdom is known through character and action:

"Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom."

There are, however, traits and choices that run counter to wisdom:

"But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish."

And there are consequences to "bitter envy & selfish ambition," hubris and lies. James says: "For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind."

Sounds an apt description of American politics right now. But we rarely hear of wisdom as a desirable virtue of our social life, much less a character traits of leaders and politicians. We mostly hear about charisma and other kinds of power. Not the power of wisdom.

But wisdom has power - the power of peace:

"But wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy & good fruits, w/o a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace."

Wisdom overcomes division: "Those conflicts & disputes among you, where do they come from? Don't they come from cravings that are at war w/i you? You want something & don't have it; so you murder. You covet something & can't obtain it; so you engage in disputes & conflicts."

The passage ends with words that feel awkward to contemporary people: "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

But the context is really quite beautiful -- it could be rendered "Place yourself under the wisdom that leads to peace."

In other words, make yourself subject to those things that are NOT envy, hubris, and lying. Receive gifts that flow from gratitude, humility, and truth.

Gratitude, humility, and truth are attributes of the Divine, they are aspects of the sacred that we can live here and now. And if we walk in their path, we will be wise, we embody sacred wisdom in the world.

The text depicts all that is not-Wisdom as the "devil." So, if you want to resist envy, hubris, and lies, wisdom is a spiritual resistance.

Place yourself under the guidance of wisdom, know that this is living a sacred way, and resist all that opposes true peace.

Let wisdom embrace you, shape you, guide you. And all that is not-Wisdom, will flee.

Passages like this are NOT about navel-gazing or quietism. These are insights on how to cultivate a life of true peace that actively resists evil. Wisdom isn't about you sitting around in self-congratulatory spirituality. It is about making the world anew.